SGEIRS -Chapter 2 Choosing Gu Jingxi

When her words fell, everyone was stunned.

The current Yongchang Marquis’s residence was no longer what it had been more than a decade ago. After the old Marquis passed away, the present Marquis was mediocre in ability. The heir was only twelve and had not yet entered officialdom, so he could not hold his own. The eldest illegitimate son was only thirteen. The Yongchang Marquis’s household had already declined.

Even if Gu Xiuming had run away from the wedding, the Gu family would still have carried out the ceremony as scheduled and married Meng Jinyao into the family.

And Meng Jinyao, going along with the situation, would have married Gu Xiuming and become the properly wedded wife of the heir. No matter how favored other women might be, they would still be lowly concubines, unfit to appear in public, and could be dealt with later.

But now, Meng Jinyao was actually saying she wanted to change the groom?

The Changxing Marquis’s household had three branches. The first and second branches were born of concubines, while the third branch was legitimate—the one born to Old Madam Gu. After the old marquis passed away, this branch inherited the title and became the new Changxing Marquis.

Gu Jingxi, the current marquis, had only one son. If Meng Jinyao were to choose another young master to marry, how could any match be more honorable than marrying Gu Xiuming and becoming the heir’s wife?

Old Madam Gu glanced at her in surprise. The young girl looked delicate and gentle, yet she could remain so calm in such a situation and firmly make her demand. Old Madam Gu could not help but feel admiration.

She had not expected the daughter of the Yongchang Marquis to possess such courage.

Appreciating such a child, she said, “It was our Gu family who wronged Miss Meng first. Then we shall do as Miss Meng wishes. All unmarried and unbetrothed young men of suitable age in the Gu family, step forward and let Miss Meng choose.”

As soon as she spoke, the guests were in an uproar.

No one had expected Old Madam Gu to agree to such an absurd request. How could a groom be changed so casually?

The first branch could no longer sit still. With the current influence of the Changxing Marquis’s household, why should their son marry the daughter of a declining noble family?

Madam Zhang was the first to object.

“Mother, this—”

Old Madam Gu shot her a calm glance and cut her off.

“Xiuwen is already fifteen. He is old enough to marry.”

Hearing this, even though Madam Zhang was dissatisfied, she dared not defy her mother-in-law in front of the guests. She could only reply awkwardly,

“Mother is right.”

Anyway, her son Xiuwen was only fifteen. Meng Jinyao might not fancy someone younger than herself. The second branch’s Xiu Hong was seventeen this year, one year older than Meng Jinyao. He was more likely to be chosen.

And even if Meng Jinyao really chose her son, it would not matter—Xiuwen was not the eldest legitimate heir.

Second Madam Chen also felt that the girl had backbone and composure, but she was unwilling to let her own son marry her.

Marrying his cousin’s former fiancée—wouldn’t that become a laughingstock?

Still, at this critical moment, she dared not oppose it. Otherwise, her mother-in-law would surely settle accounts with her later.

There were only four grandsons in the Changxing Marquis’s household.

The eldest, Gu Xiuyuan, was already married and could be excluded.

The second, Gu Xiuhong, and the fourth, Gu Xiuwen, were both unmarried.

Because of an unreliable cousin/brother, the two unfortunate young men were about to be forced into marriage. They stood before Meng Jinyao, waiting for her to choose.

Old Madam Gu asked gently, “Miss Meng, these two grandsons of mine are both unmarried. Which one do you fancy?”

Meng Jinyao examined the two young men before her.

Second Young Master Gu Xiuhong was refined and handsome.

Fourth Young Master Gu Xiuwen still had traces of childishness on his face and was looking at her eagerly.

She had to choose one of the two.

Yet she found it difficult.

Gu Xiuhong was on good terms with Gu Xiuming. If she married him, and later had conflicts with Gu Xiuming, Xiuhong might not side with her.

As for Xiuwen, he was too young. Marrying someone like a younger brother did not appeal to her.

Hearing Old Madam Gu’s question, she raised her head, about to answer.

At that moment, she happened to glance sideways.

A strikingly handsome man entered her view.

He was wearing a dark-purple brocade robe, his face as flawless as polished jade, his brows drawn like ink paintings. His narrow phoenix eyes were meeting hers directly.

She recognized him.

He had been her prospective father-in-law—the father of her intended husband.

The Changxing Marquis, Gu Jingxi.

Looking at Gu Jingxi, a sudden idea flashed through her mind.

She raised her hand and pointed at him.

“I choose him.”